A Portuguese industrial group is set to manufacture components for Saab Gripen fighter jets under a new partnership with the Swedish defence company, giving Portugal a role in the production of the aircraft as the country considers options to replace its ageing F-16 fleet.
Vangest, a Portuguese industrial group known for its work in mould-making and plastic components across several industries, will produce eight complex parts for Saab’s Gripen E/F fighter aircraft. Production will take place at the group’s facilities in Marinha Grande, north of Lisbon.
The agreement forms part of Saab’s efforts to expand its international manufacturing network and increase production capacity for the Gripen E/F programme. Both companies see the partnership as an opportunity to strengthen Portugal’s position in the aerospace industry, while bringing new manufacturing work to the country’s industrial sector.
In its announcement, Saab highlighted Vangest’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and industrial experience as important reasons for selecting the Portuguese group. The Swedish company also indicated that the cooperation could expand in the coming years.
“With Vangest, we are expanding our manufacturing network and strengthening production capacity, while at the same time giving Portuguese industry a concrete role in the Gripen programme,” said Johan Segertoft, head of Saab’s Gripen business unit, in a statement.
Segertoft added that the agreement reflects Saab’s commitment to supporting the development of Portugal’s aerospace industry.
For Vangest, the partnership represents a further step into the aerospace sector, extending its manufacturing activities beyond its established work in moulds and plastic components. The production of complex aircraft parts will also bring specialised industrial work to its facilities in Marinha Grande.
However, several details of the agreement remain undisclosed. Saab and Vangest have not announced the financial value of the partnership, the investment required, the production start date or the expected volume of components beyond the eight types covered by the agreement. The companies have also not provided a specific estimate of how many jobs the project will create, although Saab expects it to generate new skilled employment in the region.
The announcement comes as Portugal prepares to consider the replacement of its F-16 fighter fleet. Saab’s Gripen E/F is among the aircraft models mentioned as a possible option for the Portuguese Air Force, placing the new industrial partnership within a wider discussion about the country’s future military aviation requirements.
Saab has indicated that a Portuguese decision to select the Gripen would create further opportunities to develop the cooperation with Vangest and other parts of the country’s industrial sector. The company says such a decision could support the development of Portugal’s aerospace and defence industries and strengthen the country’s position within Europe’s defence manufacturing network.
For now, the agreement gives Vangest a defined manufacturing role in the Gripen programme, but it does not mean Portugal has selected the Swedish fighter for its air force. The potential for a wider industrial partnership will depend, in part, on the outcome of the country’s future fighter procurement decision.
